best way to present papers at consulate?

[LoveinPeru 2]

Hi,

I'm preparing all the documents to send to my fiance for his interview. I was wondering what the best way to present the information is? What forms will the consulate keep and what forms will you get back? my lawyer prepared all the forms and put them in two giant brads that hold everything together. However, this seems a strange way to present it unless the consulate will keep EVERYTHING you give them. It's hard to take things in and out of these brads. Is it better to use an accordian style file folder? or a binder? It seems to me like these would be better because everything is separated but it's easy to get the things in and out?

What have other people done?

[jkelly07 120]

some people use acco binders with two holes on top, i used a large clip to hole the package togather and smaller paper clips in between, if it's large put a rubber around it.

[Blake and Jeanie 4]

Hi,

I'm preparing all the documents to send to my fiance for his interview. I was wondering what the best way to present the information is? What forms will the consulate keep and what forms will you get back? my lawyer prepared all the forms and put them in two giant brads that hold everything together. However, this seems a strange way to present it unless the consulate will keep EVERYTHING you give them. It's hard to take things in and out of these brads. Is it better to use an accordian style file folder? or a binder? It seems to me like these would be better because everything is separated but it's easy to get the things in and out?

What have other people done?

I am using binders- punching holes through some papers and using file pockets for more important docs/originals. I organized all paperwork according to the packets with which it was sent (I-130 packet, I-864, IV packet, etc...). Everything else is in the catch-all binder with tagged dividers. I like the binders 'cause you can easily add/remove things. I decided against the accordion style folder- I was afraid things would start falling out and get out of order.

[* Kristin * 49]

We used something like this... http://www.amtmarketing.com/promotional-folders/polypropylene-carry-cases/2092/details.aspx

Not that exact type - ours was a tad larger. In it, we put plastic folders, divided by category. Within each folder, everything was tagged for each reference. We're super neat people - so blue tags meant like proof of engagement, red tags were something else... etc.

I am using binders- punching holes through some papers and using file pockets for more important docs/originals. I organized all paperwork according to the packets with which it was sent (I-130 packet, I-864, IV packet, etc...). Everything else is in the catch-all binder with tagged dividers. I like the binders 'cause you can easily add/remove things. I decided against the accordion style folder- I was afraid things would start falling out and get out of order.

[max+patricia 24]

We're using an accordion-style clear plastic case that has 6 built-in folders with filing tabs. One folder for original I-129F packet (sent for petition), one folder for all the additional proof we have gathered since then (boarding passes, receipts, etc - "just in case" for the embassy or possible RFE), one folder for letters and cards (originals, some of which we copied for the petition), one folder for all things financial (taxes, I-134), and one folder for pictures (just in case). I don't think any of it matters too much, but since the idea is to be organized and give both my fiancee and I, plus the consular officer, a little less stress dealing with our paperwork - we're doing whatever we can.

[LoveinPeru 2]

thanks for the responses, this is really helpful!

What papers does the consulate end of keeping, and which papers do you get back?

I want to send my fiance a very organized file so that everything is ready for him. I'm worried he won't be able to sort all of the papers himself because they are all in English and his English is limited, so I want to have them arrive to him already sorted and labeled.

[Afrikan Queen 11]

Hi,

I'm preparing all the documents to send to my fiance for his interview. I was wondering what the best way to present the information is? What forms will the consulate keep and what forms will you get back? my lawyer prepared all the forms and put them in two giant brads that hold everything together. However, this seems a strange way to present it unless the consulate will keep EVERYTHING you give them. It's hard to take things in and out of these brads. Is it better to use an accordian style file folder? or a binder? It seems to me like these would be better because everything is separated but it's easy to get the things in and out?

What have other people done?

What I did was put all the necessary papers (application, police certificate, passport, etc) in a nice plain folder that I bought at Walmart for less than a dollar. Additional evidence I put in a binder (or you can put in another folder), I kept it seperated because they may not ask for it. I also put copies of all the necessary document in another folder in case they lose a document, we have a backup.

[TBoneTX 45,304]

However you organize things, bear in mind that materials are passed to the consular personnel through a curved slot under a Plexiglass window, like a heavily guarded bank. Be sure that materials (or groups of them) are thin and flexible enough for this, si man.